Our school’s focus for LTLL was in the Authentic Learning section of the reflection guide. As stated by Michael Bezzina from ACU, Authentic Learning is the very heart of the enterprise in Catholic schools. It is the most profound manifestation of the moral purpose which is captured in its vision of transformed learners. Research has identified that Authentic Learning impacts positively on learning outcomes. These are represented in LTLL as standards for learning, organising for learning, pedagogy, student engagement and assessment. Organising for Learning. Using school’s resources, buildings, time and people in different ways will give different learning outcomes. Authentic Learning requires a quality learning environment. Our major focus was ‘Uses technology to support teaching and learning’. We identified this need as a red light because the current school technology infrastructure was out of date and not readily accessible to staff and students. Software was also out of date and not inline with current learning outcomes. Although 2 classrooms were fitted with Activeboards, inadequate hardware and lack of teacher training restricted the pedagogical practice and student engagement. In other words they were glorified projectors. Action Plan For our action plan we came up with a 9 step process to achieve a green light in this area of need. Step 1- Maintain Activeboards All classrooms now have permanent Activeboards and laptops attached. Software has been updated on all computers. Replaced Activeboard pens and clean projectors Step 2 – Maintain Classroom desktop computers – The 18 second hand classroom computers have been replaced with 24 new machines. All machines have Windows 7. Each classroom has a network printer that all machines can print from. The class teacher can also print to their printer. Step 3 – Purchase additional software We have purchased some additional software, but due to funding issues this is still an area that we need to concentrate on. We have purchased Windows 7 Office for all machines in the school, Jolly Phonics interactive whiteboard software, rainforest maths, stepping stones maths, targeting grammar interactive software,SpellingCity and targeting text types interactive software. Step 4 – Investigate the upgrade of hardware As we are part of the National Partnership program we have been able to purchase new hardware increase the use of technology in class based learning activities. The hardware upgrades include: 1 x 48 port switch 2x wireless switch 25 x desktop computers & monitors 25 MS 7 Office 3 x network printers 32 x Active Expression 3 x ipods 3 x Headphones/Microphone 8 x Listening post 1 x Sony Bloggie HD Video Camera 3 x Wireless Mouse & Keyboard Step 5 – Promethium Training to Staff The Lead Teacher conducted training of all teaching staff in term 3, 2010. Further training of new staff and support staff will be conducted in term 1, 2011. Activexpressions have been purchased and staff will undergo training from the ICTT during term 2. Step 6 – ICTT Release day scheduled ICTT days have been scheduled for Mondays. Classroom teacher ICT release days have not been allocated due to staffing shortages, however all teaching staff should receive their allocated day by the end of term 1. Step 7 – Professional Development opportunities Due to unavailability of casual staff, PD opportunities have not been available. It is hoped that with consultation with the CEO this issue will be resolved, as PD is essential to maintain a high standard of teacher training and student learning. Step 8 – Develop scope and sequence for ICT Continual process. Staff are in consultation and examples are being reviewed. Step 9 – Opportunities to visit other schools Due to unavailability of casual staff, school visits have not been feasible. It is hoped that with consultation with the CEO this issue will be resolved, as PD is essential to maintain a high standard of teacher training and student learning. Student Engagement Authentic Learning requires a close engagement of the student with the processes and content of learning. Our major focus was ‘Is explicitly focused on goals’. We identified this need as a red light because we believed that within our school environment, students lacked the ability to show self responsibility and initiative in their learning. With the change in school staffing and a cultural shift of enrolled students, staff observed a growing number of students becoming unenthused and showing little interest in achieving outcomes. We wanted to encourage students self responsibility by guiding students to create achievable SMART goals. Action Plan For our action plan we came up with a 4 step process to achieve a green light in this area of need. Step 1 – Implement individual goals for all students based on PLP SMART goals. Personal Learning Plan (PLP) was implemented for all Indigenous students during 2010. Classroom teachers developed each plan with assistance from the LST and AEW. Parents were then invited for a chat with all parties involved to explicitly focus on 2 or 3 goals to encourage students self responsibility and initiative. Step 2 – Regular standardise assessment to track goals Classroom teachers are aware that regular standardised assessment is imperative to track individual goals. Goal tracking cards have been included in all student tracking folders. Step 3 – Review tracking and performance and revisit procedures Every student in the school has their own tracking folder to record and monitor progress. New staff members will work with LST to become familiar with these procedures by the end of term 1. Step 4 – Formalise Reward Process Reward process has been discussed at a staff level with a variety of implementation plans examined. Further consolidation and recommendations to be made by executive staff by semester 2 2011.
Well done Brewarrina for your fantastic presentation at Cobar. The folllowing is a summary of some of the affirmations and generative questions.Affirmations
What great passion
Great commitment to 21 C digital classrooms
Good to see elements linked and students taking responsibility and be engaged
PLP adjustment very positive
Goog evidence of professional dialogue
Vibrant Classrooms
Engaging resources
Well done for the K-6 approach
Generative Questions
How will you continue to differentiate for your learners?
How will parents be engaged?
How will you track the learning that has developed because of the engagement?
How can you better use the technology as a tool for learning?
How will you access information about best use of IT in a classroom?
Our school’s focus for LTLL was in the Authentic Learning section of the reflection guide.
As stated by Michael Bezzina from ACU, Authentic Learning is the very heart of the enterprise in Catholic schools. It is the most profound manifestation of the moral purpose which is captured in its vision of transformed learners.
Research has identified that Authentic Learning impacts positively on learning outcomes. These are represented in LTLL as standards for learning, organising for learning, pedagogy, student engagement and assessment.
Organising for Learning.
Using school’s resources, buildings, time and people in different ways will give different learning outcomes. Authentic Learning requires a quality learning environment.
Our major focus was ‘Uses technology to support teaching and learning’. We identified this need as a red light because the current school technology infrastructure was out of date and not readily accessible to staff and students. Software was also out of date and not inline with current learning outcomes.
Although 2 classrooms were fitted with Activeboards, inadequate hardware and lack of teacher training restricted the pedagogical practice and student engagement. In other words they were glorified projectors.
Action Plan
For our action plan we came up with a 9 step process to achieve a green light in this area of need.
Step 1- Maintain Activeboards
All classrooms now have permanent Activeboards and laptops attached. Software has been updated on all computers. Replaced Activeboard pens and clean projectors
Step 2 – Maintain Classroom desktop computers –
The 18 second hand classroom computers have been replaced with 24 new machines. All machines have Windows 7. Each classroom has a network printer that all machines can print from. The class teacher can also print to their printer.
Step 3 – Purchase additional software
We have purchased some additional software, but due to funding issues this is still an area that we need to concentrate on. We have purchased Windows 7 Office for all machines in the school, Jolly Phonics interactive whiteboard software, rainforest maths, stepping stones maths, targeting grammar interactive software,SpellingCity and targeting text types interactive software.
Step 4 – Investigate the upgrade of hardware
As we are part of the National Partnership program we have been able to purchase new hardware increase the use of technology in class based learning activities. The hardware upgrades include:
1 x 48 port switch
2x wireless switch
25 x desktop computers & monitors
25 MS 7 Office
3 x network printers
32 x Active Expression
3 x ipods
3 x Headphones/Microphone
8 x Listening post
1 x Sony Bloggie HD Video Camera
3 x Wireless Mouse & Keyboard
Step 5 – Promethium Training to Staff
The Lead Teacher conducted training of all teaching staff in term 3, 2010. Further training of new staff and support staff will be conducted in term 1, 2011. Activexpressions have been purchased and staff will undergo training from the ICTT during term 2.
Step 6 – ICTT Release day scheduled
ICTT days have been scheduled for Mondays. Classroom teacher ICT release days have not been allocated due to staffing shortages, however all teaching staff should receive their allocated day by the end of term 1.
Step 7 – Professional Development opportunities
Due to unavailability of casual staff, PD opportunities have not been available. It is hoped that with consultation with the CEO this issue will be resolved, as PD is essential to maintain a high standard of teacher training and student learning.
Step 8 – Develop scope and sequence for ICT
Continual process. Staff are in consultation and examples are being reviewed.
Step 9 – Opportunities to visit other schools
Due to unavailability of casual staff, school visits have not been feasible. It is hoped that with consultation with the CEO this issue will be resolved, as PD is essential to maintain a high standard of teacher training and student learning.
Student Engagement
Authentic Learning requires a close engagement of the student with the processes and content of learning.
Our major focus was ‘Is explicitly focused on goals’. We identified this need as a red light because we believed that within our school environment, students lacked the ability to show self responsibility and initiative in their learning.
With the change in school staffing and a cultural shift of enrolled students, staff observed a growing number of students becoming unenthused and showing little interest in achieving outcomes.
We wanted to encourage students self responsibility by guiding students to create achievable SMART goals.
Action Plan
For our action plan we came up with a 4 step process to achieve a green light in this area of need.
Step 1 – Implement individual goals for all students based on PLP SMART goals.
Personal Learning Plan (PLP) was implemented for all Indigenous students during 2010. Classroom teachers developed each plan with assistance from the LST and AEW. Parents were then invited for a chat with all parties involved to explicitly focus on 2 or 3 goals to encourage students self responsibility and initiative.
Step 2 – Regular standardise assessment to track goals
Classroom teachers are aware that regular standardised assessment is imperative to track individual goals. Goal tracking cards have been included in all student tracking folders.
Step 3 – Review tracking and performance and revisit procedures
Every student in the school has their own tracking folder to record and monitor progress. New staff members will work with LST to become familiar with these procedures by the end of term 1.
Step 4 – Formalise Reward Process
Reward process has been discussed at a staff level with a variety of implementation plans examined. Further consolidation and recommendations to be made by executive staff by semester 2 2011.
Well done Brewarrina for your fantastic presentation at Cobar. The folllowing is a summary of some of the affirmations and generative questions.Affirmations
Generative Questions
LTLL Final Presentation
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